Paulino's next stint on hold with back issues

CLEVELAND -- Royals right-hander Felipe Paulino's rehabilitation assignment with Double-A Northwest Arkansas has hit a snag and his second start has been delayed.

"He's got minor back soreness or stiffness that's put him back a day or two," Royals manager Ned Yost said.

Paulino and Danny Duffy, now with Triple-A Omaha, are coming back from Tommy John surgery last year. Duffy's last outing was a rough one in three innings.

"They said, though, they feel like [Duffy's] getting closer," Yost said. "It's a process. The whole key is to get them out there and get them acclimated to pitching again after a year off."